INEC Extends 2027 candidate nomination deadline to July 14

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names and personal particulars of their candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections by three days, following appeals from political stakeholders.

The electoral umpire announced the extension in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

According to the commission, the deadline, which was originally scheduled to expire on Saturday, July 11, 2026, has now been extended to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

INEC said the decision was taken after receiving a formal request from the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which appealed on behalf of political parties that encountered challenges completing the submission of candidates’ details within the stipulated timeframe.

“The deadline for submission in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, being Saturday, July 11, 2026, has been extended to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026,” the commission stated.

It urged all political parties to make full use of the additional period to complete the upload of their candidates’ information through INEC’s online nomination portal.

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“The Commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.

INEC explained that the extension reflects its commitment to ensuring a transparent, inclusive and credible electoral process while remaining within the provisions of the Electoral Act and the election timetable.

“The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices, while acting within the ambit of the law,” it stated.

The commission noted that several political parties experienced technical and administrative difficulties in uploading the names and personal particulars of their candidates through the commission’s electronic nomination portal before the original deadline.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council subsequently approached INEC, requesting additional time to enable affected parties complete the nomination process without being disenfranchised.

The extension comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general election, with activities including political party primaries, candidate nominations, voter registration, stakeholder engagements and other pre-election processes already underway.

Earlier this year, the electoral commission released a revised timetable for the 2027 polls, fixing the presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027.

The revised schedule, announced by Mohammed Kudu Haruna on behalf of the Commission’s Information and Voter Education Committee, adjusted key electoral activities about two weeks after INEC initially unveiled its timetable for the 2027 general election.

Political observers say the extension is expected to ease pressure on political parties still finalising their nomination processes while ensuring that eligible candidates are not excluded due to procedural or technical challenges.